The Duke of Desire

Robert Smithton, Duke of Roseford and Lady Katherine Gainsworth have met before. He doesn’t remember. She does, and hates Robert. She blames him and his behavior three years earlier that resulted in her abusive father forcing her to marry an older man she did not want. Not knowing how she feels, Robert, a known rake, makes a wager that he can bed the scandalized widow (her husband died during marital relations). He has his work cut out for him. Snubbed on her first foray into Society since her husband’s death, she meets and befriends The Duchesses (the wives of the Dukes of the 1797 Club). Robert meets disapproval from the Dukes and their wives for the wager. When Robert and Katherine find themselves at the same house party, things do not progress as planned. The Duke of Desire is another great story in Jess Michaels’s amazing 1797 Club series. The characters are compelling. While Robert appears to be cold and distant, and Katherine feigns nonchalance in public, they are both broken inside. Part of the chemistry between these two is the understanding they have of each other. The Dukes and the Duchess are all here and once again demonstrate their concern and willingness to help each other. This captivating enemies-to-friends story is well paced, with a breath now and then to give Robert, Katherine, and the reader a moment to wonder what comes next. I enjoyed and recommend The Duke of Desire and the 1797 Club series. While I hate to see the series end, I am really looking forward to Kit’s book. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.

This is one of the best books in this series, I think, but it ended very abruptly and without an epilogue. Kind of weird but okay. It is still a five star for me and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Robert has always been one of my favorite Dukes. I'm also very much looking forward to Kit's story.

Here we go again with one of those amazing members of the 1797 Club! This has been a great series that I look forward to as each book is released. This one is about Robert Smithton, Duke of Roseford and Lady Katherine Gainsworth. Katherine is finally out of her mourning period for her late husband and is ready to reenter society. But society is hard on her when they whisper about how her husband had died in bed with her. That starts a bet to see which gentleman can bed her first. Yes, crass I know but in those times and gentlemen being what they were! Robert, one of the worst rogues there is approaches her to be his lover. What he has forgotten is they have a history together and she hates him. But of course Robert does not give up and keeps pursuing her. All I can say is Jess Michaels has really brought these characters alive and I could feel the tense moments and angst as these two try to come together. Prepare to feel a whirlwind of emotions and heartfelt sighs. Although part of a series, this can be read as a standalone, but trust me, you want to read them all!! Cannot wait until the next story I read this through NetGallery